The European Parliament and EU Council members have reached an agreement on a new law mandating a significant increase in electric vehicle charging and hydrogen refuelling stations across Europe’s main transport networks, aimed at enabling the transition to zero emission transport and addressing consumer refuelling concerns that could impede the switch to zero emission vehicles.
The agreement is another step towards completing the European Commission’s “Fit for 55” roadmap – the EU’s proposed strategy to cut greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 55% by 2030, compared to 1990 levels – and supports the plan’s other transportation-focused elements, such as rules requiring all new passenger cars and light commercial vehicles registered in the EU to be zero emissions by 2035, and to cut emissions in sectors such as road and domestic maritime transportation.
The proposed new law calls for publicly available charging infrastructure for cars and vans based on the number of registered battery-electric cars in each member state, as well as the deployment of fast-charging stations every 60 kilometres along the trans-European transport network (TEN-T) by 2025, as well as recharging stations dedicated to heavy-duty vehicles every 60 kilometres along the TEN-T core network and every 100 kilometres on the larger TEN-T comprehensive network.
The rule would also compel the installation of hydrogen refuelling infrastructure every 200 kilometres along the TEN-T core network by 2030. Additionally, the law includes rules for operators of electric recharging and hydrogen refuelling stations to ensure full price transparency, and to offer common payment methods.
The law also requires the provision of electricity at maritime ports and airports for berthing vessels and stationary aircraft. Following today’s agreement, the proposal will be sent to the European Parliament and the Council for formal adoption.
